Striking Blacks Fight S. Africa Police; 5 Killed

Police battled striking black railway workers wielding axes today in Johannesburg, and witnesses said at least five blacks were killed.

A news photographer said he saw at least three bodies after police fought strikers in a running battle between the union headquarters and the Doornfontein train station. A shopkeeper near the train station said he saw at least five dead strikers.

The railway workers gathered at Doornfontein station today after it was announced that the government transport service was firing 16,000 striking rail employees.

50 Carried Axes, Clubs

News photographer Juhan Kuus said he saw 50 black men carrying axes and clubs march the half-mile from the union building in suburban Germiston to Doornfontein station.

He said police blocked their path, and an officer who tossed a tear gas canister was thrown up against a wall, beaten and stabbed. Kuus said police then opened fire.

After the clash, some strikers returned to the union building.

Hundreds of police, some armed with automatic rifles, surrounded the building and announced through loudspeakers that no one was to leave. Approximately 500 people, including journalists, were believed to be inside.

The South African Transport Services, the rail company, set this morning as the deadline for 18,000 striking workers to end their strike or lose their jobs. Company spokesman Dirk Buekes said about 2,000 had returned to work, and those still on strike were regarded as having “terminated their services.”